Monday, December 29, 2014

Are you finding yourself stressed over the idea of New Year’s Resolutions? Picking your resolutions and seeing them through can be a challenge, so this year, give this list of 5o simple and smart New Year’s resolution ideas a try instead. These resolutions are easy to implement, yet they are important and productive resolutions that anyone can benefit from. Take a look and see which ones you may want to try!

50 Simple and Smart New Year’s Resolution Ideas

1. Drink 8 glasses of water per day. Find a fun water bottle to help you remember.

2. Switch to whole grain breads and crackers for some extra nutrition your body will love.

3. Limit yourself to 3 sweet treats a week.

4. Limit yourself to one soda or coffee drink a day.

5. Skip the drive thru dinners and try cooking together as a family.

6. Get rid of paper products in your home and try for cloth.

7. Volunteer 1 hour a week at a non for profit of your choice.

8. Read to a child who has no one to read to them.

9. Serve dinner once a month at a community kitchen.

10. Take a brisk walk after dinner each night.

11. Do sit ups during commercials.

12. Limit your social media activity to an hour per day.

13. Make your bed each day and see how it sets the tone for the rest of the day.

14. Save your change at the end of the day. Watch it add up and cash it all in after 6 months.

15. Shop with cash whenever possible instead of charge cards.

16. Save your receipts so you can track your spending and make better choices.

17. Be more conscious about turning off lights when not in use.

18. Be more conscious about turning off water when not in use.

19. Practice random acts of kindness. You will feel wonderful inside and others are sure to appreciate it.

20. Relax and enjoy at least 1 book a month. There are so many great books out there waiting for you.

21. Say sorry to someone you have hurt. You will both be able to start healing.

22. Journal your feelings a few times a week.

23. Try a new food you have been curious about. If you try it, you might like it!

24. Make a new friend. You never know what adventures you may get into!

25. Try making a few dishes per month from scratch. You may find a new favorite.

26. Try repairing something instead of buying new. It will save you cash and you will learn a skill.

27. Give away clothing you no longer wear. Not only will you clear your closet but the recipient is sure to appreciate it.

28. Try recycling more. You can make cash on items you recycle and it helps Mother Earth!

29. Visit family you haven’t seen in awhile. They are sure to enjoy catching up.

30. Cut back on bad habits such as smoking, nail chewing, or drinking. These are costly and negatively effect your health.

31. Start using chemical free products in your home. Why not start the New Year in a clean, chemical free space?

32. Get 8 hours of sleep per night. It will do wonders for your mood and your health.

33. Volunteer a few times a month at your child’s school. They can always use a hand.

34. Write a note once a week in your child’s lunch. They are sure to appreciate the gesture.

35. Enjoy dinner dates one night a month with each of your children. It is wonderful bonding time.

36. Don’t forget one date night a month for adults too! It can really help your relationship.

37. Where items out before buying new. It is the best way to get the most bang for your buck.

38. Use at least 5 coupons per shopping trip and watch your savings add up. Even just 5 coupons at $1 each is $5 off your bill.

39. Take the surveys on receipts to earn extra savings and be entered for cash contests.

40. Try creating a weekly budget for your family. It can help you plan your spending better and save you cash.

41. Try meal planning. Plan 3-5 meals for your family ahead of time per week.

42. Donate any items you aren’t using to charity and clear away the clutter while helping others.

43. Take a mini road trip. Just choose a direction and go for a weekend.

44. Give a stranger a compliment each day. It will lift their spirits as well as your own.

45. Get into the habit of smiling each day. It will do wonders for your mood and cheer up those around you.

46. Buy a new and fun color of lipstick. Try wearing it each day. Be brave!

47. Pick one closet a month and organize it. One a month keeps you from getting overwhelmed.

48. Stop spending time around negative people. They only drain your energy.

49. Meditate at the start of each day to find focus. It can help start the day on a strong foot.

50. Take in one fine arts event each month such as a concert or gallery event.

These 50 New Year’s resolutions are simple to implement but still give you the chance for a fruitful new year! Give them your consideration and see what a difference they can make for you in 2015!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

5 Skin-Care Products You Should Never Use Together

With the list of "must-have" skin-care products growing by the
minute, the list of ingredients you're putting on your skin is growing,
too. It's no surprise that some just don't go together. Here, David
Colbert, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, points out which
combinations you should always avoid.Vitamin C + Benzoyl PeroxideBenzoyl peroxide is
an acne-clearing staple in many people's skin-care routines. Enter
vitamin C, the trendy new kid in town that every dermatologist seems to
be recommending. While you totally can (and should!) add vitamin C to
your routine, Colbert warns not to use it with benzoyl peroxide. The
topical treatment will oxidize the vitamin C, rendering the effects of
both useless. Only use one on days you won't be using the other.

All acids are not created equal, and they all don't have the same effects on your skin. Salicylic acid is an acne treatment, and glycolic acid is an exfoliator that removes dead skin
without your having to scrub away at it. Both are great ingredients, but
when used together, they can seriously dry out your skin, says Colbert.
Again, only use one at a time.Retin-A + Gritty ExfoliantsRetin-A
is an ingredient seriously loved by dermatologist for its ability to
help skin renew itself; it helps treat wrinkles, discoloration, and
overall roughness. Unfortunately, Retin-A has a tendency to dry out
skin, causing it to peel. What better way to get rid of dry skin than
removing it with an exfoliator, right? Wrong. Retin-A makes skin
super-sensitive, and rubbing gritty exfoliants against it will only make
the situation worse, says Colbert. Try a cleansing with a muslin cloth,
which is a gentle way to buff away dead skin.

Sonic Brush + ExfoliantsWhen
sonic brushes came on the scene, they were praised for their gentle
exfoliation capabilities. But old habits die hard, and you may still
have an exfoliator in your routine. If so, it's time to let go, says
Colbert. You may be exfoliating too much, stripping your face of healthy
oils, and roughing up your skin. It's either one or the other—you
choose.Retin-A + Toner
Toners are great for a multitude of reasons; some have glycolic acid
that brings new skin to the surface, some contain witch hazel, which is
great at treating acne. But when Retin-A is in your routine, Colbert warns against using them.
"You wouldn't want to use them together over your whole face, otherwise
it will dry our your skin," he says. Pick your favorite, and stick with
it.

Monday, December 15, 2014

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year…”

I absolutely love this time of year! The lights, the colors, the sounds, and especially the food! It seems that between family get-togethers, company parties, and work activities, that there is never a shortage of delicious and yummy treats. This plethora of edible delights coupled with the fact that we are typically less active during December (what with the cold weather and all) and we have a recipe for complete disaster for any health and fitness plan. Don’t let the holiday season undermine your fitness goals this year! Today I am sharing 10 tips to help keep your holidays healthy, active and free from weight gain. Check them out:

1. Exercise

Absolutely the most obvious and yet sometimes the most difficult to adhere to is this idea of exercise during the holidays. It’s cold so we don’t go outside as much and certainly aren’t as active during the winter months compared to the summertime. Don’t let the cold weather keep you from exercising! If a gym membership isn’t in your budget there are plenty of incredible at-home workouts with minimal equipment required to keep you toned and tightened during the winter months!

2. Find a winter activity that you enjoy

Skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, ice-skating, building a snowman, walking around the mall, etc., etc.! There are actually tons of ways that you can stay active during the winter. Sure, a lot of these outdoor activities require a little more planning and thought on your part, but with a little preparation you can actually make some pretty spectacular memories! Might I recommend snowshoeing or cross-country skiing to get you started— these are a couple of my favorite winter activities and a complete calorie burn!

3. Hate the cold? Find an indoor activity you enjoy!

Let’s face it— some people just don’t like to be cold or outside when it is cold. There are just as many indoor activities you can find that burn just as many calories as the outdoor activities! Racquetball, basketball, swimming, spinning, Zumba are all great ways to shred some calories while staying warm and toasty. The important thing is you find something that you can get excited about and stick with it all season long!

4. Plan time for yourself

If you’re anything like me you find your December rapidly filling up! In fact I was just looking at my calendar earlier today— we don’t have a free Saturday in December! It’s important that you schedule time for yourself RIGHT NOW before the month gets any busier. Schedule a workout, a hike, a run, a swim – whatever – for yourself and GET IT ON THE CALENDAR! That way you have it scheduled out and nothing else can get in the way. Consider it an appointment with yourself… and bosses don’t cancel.

5. Drink more water

Any time you find yourself headed to the cupboard for some good ol’ “bored eating” head to the sink instead! Drinking more water is a great way to fill up your stomach quicker without adding any calories at all! You’re supposed to be drinking 64 ounces per day (about 8 glasses); how many do you usually get?

6. Strength in numbers

Enlist someone with similar goals as you to be your workout buddy over the next 5 weeks. Go to the gym, go on your runs, and ask each other about your eating habits. Having someone there to whom you are accountable will increase your compliance and take your gains to a new level. Trust me— it’s a lot harder to snooze when you’ve got someone depending on you to be there with them at 6:30 a.m.

7. Eat a healthy snack before going to your holiday party

This is by far one of my favorite tips! About 30 minutes before you leave to go to your next holiday party grab a delicious healthy snack. A half peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat bread, some fruit, or even some carrot sticks with hummus will tide you over just enough to keep your eating in check while you’re at the party. From awesome fruit dips to amazing roasted vegetables.

8. Don’t hang out by the food table

Everyone likes to eat. Everyone also likes to socialize. Usually, people socialize around the serving table where there’s food readily available. Simply paying attention to your geography can make a huge difference in what you eat while at the party. Grab your plate of food and then move as far away from the serving table as you can. You will be less apt to snacking if you have to get up and walk across the room to get it!

9. Did I mention drinking water?

It’s going to be tough, but I know you can do it. My challenge to you this holiday season is this: Don’t Drink Your Calories. Cut out alcohol. Cut out soda. Cut out egg nog, hot chocolate, spiced cider, etc and reach for a big tall glass of water. This is honestly one of the quickest and easiest ways to save yourself 100-200 calories per meal! That may not seem like a lot, but cutting even 100 calories a day all month long will result in an entire pound of weight you didn’t gain over the month!

10. Allow yourself SOME indulgence

Okay, let’s be completely honest with each other for a minute. You’re not going to stick to every one of these this season (if you can— email me! I would love to hear about it!). Everyone should allow themselves a small cheat every now and then. The holiday season comes only once a year; along with that the holiday treats usually only come once a year! To miss them completely is not realistic; however, I think it’s completely realistic to expect moderation out of ourselves. If you do elect to indulge, try to follow some of the following guidelines:

Only one dessert per party

Share desserts with a friend! That way you’re still getting the treat and the sociality, but with only half the fat and calories!

Find the healthier option: fruit instead of chocolate. Even the small sugar cookie instead of the entire fudge brownie sundae can go a long way!

Don’t fall victim to the annual poundage this year! It will be a much sweeter and happier new year if you take the correct necessary steps right now to make the holidays not only happy, but healthy!

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